New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-13
A WITNESS AGAINST SHARP.
GEORGE v. POWELL PUT UNDER ARREST.
MUCH MYSTERY ABOUT THE MATTER AT THE DIS
TRIcT-ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

MUCH MYSTERY ABOUT THE MATTER AT THE DIS
TRIcT-ArrORNEYs OFFICE
. The arrest and detention OF George V. Powell as
witnesa expected trial Of Jacob Sharp excited much
interest yesterday among those interested In watching
the progress OF the bribery trials and this interest was
greatly augmented by the secrecy for which no reason
was given main aimed by every about the District
Attorneys office District Attorney MARITIME said that he
could say nothing about IL and Mr. Nicoll was equally
recent Assistant DstrictAttorney Davis, on whose
affidavit Powell arrested said that could not speak
of the matter and TO mention Powell" to
any of the subordinate officials was to drop
veil Of Recommendations between the in
quirer and the official There was little In PowePs past
record in the official action taken that seemed to war
rant this secretivenes -
George V. Powell q witness at the Jaehne, Nc
Quade and other Aldermanic trials. He is mechanical
engineer having an Office at No 206 Broadway. He was
engaged in obtaining consent from propertyowners TO
the building Of the road The important part OF his es
mony that he had seen William Mooney the readihg
clerk OF the Doodle board frequently IN the SUMNER
of 1884 and especially just before the early meeting OF
August 80 at the Office of Robinson, scribner Bright
of the Broadway Surface Road He said that ne saw
Moloney there sometimes twice or three Tunes day. ho
remembered especially seeing him on August %
Assistant Attorney Davis made an aldavit on
last Wednesday that George " Powell was an important
and material for the people and that there was
reason to fear that he might not be at hand
when wanted as witness. The grounds OF Mr.
Davis's that the officers deputed by the DIS
Attorneys Office to the attendance OF Wit
nesses found it difficult to find Powell and 1t was believed
that he intended to leave the city Mr. Daviss atdavt
is inorse as in the of The People against JACOB
Sharp" Judge Cowing this affidavit granted an at
tachmcnt last Wednesday which was served on Thurs
day The order of Judge Cowng required that Powell
should give So 900 bail OF remain in the House OF Deen-
ton for Witnesses
One of Mr.. Marines detectives took Powell IN custody
on Thursday and has been in the keeping OF the
District Attorneys Office He has made daily visits 10
the offices OF Mr. MARITIME and Mr. Nco, ana does not
! seem TO have felt his confinement keenly.
| Ex-Aldernan Charles h. Waite was treated III about
the same way before the Jaehne trial as Powell now u.s.
but IL there Importance attached TO the tes
mony of the latter the does not appear from any
thing brought the previous trials Mr. Powell was
not severely xamined but his evidence was taken
as one OF the links which showed the connection OF
Moloney as representative of some OF the corrupt
Aldermen with the Broadway Surface Railroad IL vas
suggested by persons who familiar with the lnefy
cases that Powell like Waite may have been reserved as
witness whose important testimony should be gwen on
the trial Of a bride giver. go ,,, IT.,
Powell is middle aged man with dark WHISPERS ne
gave testimony at tho Jaehnc trial WITH apparent
readiness but careful not to answer more IMAM
was asked him II there was any change III tue ateI
trials it TO less readiness IN giving testimony